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Tanaka’s MLB Tour Is Underway

Masahiro Tanaka’s tour of the cream of American baseball is underway, with the star Japanese pitcher expected to meet with interested bidders during the next few days en route to landing what is expected to be the biggest contract ever given to a player arriving from the Japanese league.

According to several baseball officials, Tanaka arrived in the U.S. Wednesday and is meeting with roughly a dozen teams, including the Chicago and Los Angeles clubs, and the Yankees. The process is being kept under wraps, and agent Casey Close, who did not respond to a request for comment, is reportedly looking to keep specific details private.

Tanaka, 25, went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA in leading his Rakuten Golden Eagles to the Nippon Professional Baseball championship. He is expected to command a five to six year deal worth $100 or more. In addition to the salary, whatever team wins the bidding will have to pay Rakuten $20 million for releasing Tanaka from his contract and allowing him to come to Major League Baseball.

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